DOWNSTREET ART THURSDAY CONTINUES ON THURSDAY, AUG. 31

Aug. 23, 2017NORTH ADAMS, MASS. – DownStreet Art (DSA), a program of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ (MCLA) Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BCRC), announces the next DownStreet Art Thursday will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 31. The free, monthly DSA events encourage community participation in the arts and promote businesses in downtown North Adams.

The evening will feature the official unveiling of “Imaginarium,” a new mural by artist Yu-Baba (Yulia Puhach) on Center Street. A native of Belarus, Yu-Baba is based in New York City. This artist previously created murals in Germany, Italy, France, Austria, UK, Belgium, Greece, Poland, India, Belarus and the United States.

“Imaginarium” joins a roster of murals by regional and international artists, commissioned by DownStreet Art since 2012.

“We feel very fortunate that, once again, the DownStreet Art mural program has generated such a competitive, world-class response. We are grateful for the work that Yu-Baba has done to bring the newest DownStreet Art-commissioned mural to life,” said Michelle Daly, BCRC director.

Described by the artist as depicting the metaphoric relationship between a red fox and a young woman, “Imaginarium” explores the idea of the fox serving as the young woman’s imaginary bodyguard.

At MCLA’s Design Lab, 49 Main St., an opening reception will be held for “Monuments to the People of North Adams,” an exhibition featuring new photographs by Brooklyn, N.Y.-based interdisciplinary artist Jamie Diamond, as well as the work collaboratively produced by young students from her DSA Visiting Artist residency workshop.

Combining street photography and video with public sculpture, Diamond guided students as they explored the everyday people and places of North Adams. The exhibition will be on view through Sept. 30.

The evenings’ music performances, organized by BOOM – the Berkshire Organization for Original Music, will feature singer and song-writer Izzy Heltai ’18 under the Mohawk Marquee. His sound is described by label Sounds and Tones as “Dylan-esque, talkie songs of optimistic heartbreak are a refreshing, earthy spin on modern folk and influence by Influenced by indie folk acts such as The Milk Carton Kids and The Avett Brothers.”

Featured performances also will include those by Craig Hop and Kosherburgers, with DJ White Ryce and special guests, including Inswain.

Hop is an emcee/producer from Pittsfield, who focuses on lyricism and utilizing different genres from rock to alternative and classical music. Kosherburgers are a future funk duo based in Western Massachusetts, made up of members Yonaton Kaufman and Cam Burgess. As they combine elements of live music and digital productions, the two bridge genres into a new form of instrumental jam music.

In addition, local freestyler and writer Seth Brown will return with his monthly freestyle performance.

Makers’ Mill will host a weaving demo in the Eco-Loom parklet, across from the Mohawk Theater. The Eco-Loom parklet was created by local artists Kathleen Carr and Jim Peters, who invite members of the public to drop in and weave a few wefts into its structure, which continues to evolve over time.

Gravity Gallery will present, “High Brow,” a one-day participatory event by New Hampshire-based artist Rachelle Beaudoin. During this event, Beaudoin will create prints of people’s eyebrows using Akua ink and paper. In addition, Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) will present “People’s Library Reading Room Pop-Up” on Main Street, and Mass in Motion will set up a bike decorating table with bike mechanics who will offer free bike tune ups on Main Street.

On the MASS MoCA campus in Building 13, the CYNTHIA-REEVES Gallery will present “Emergent Behavior,” an exhibition of prints and site-specific installation by San Francisco-based artist Thomas Jackson. Also in Building 13, FERRIN CONTEMPORARY will offer works on view, including work by this year’s Massachusetts Cultural Cultural Council Fellow Award winner, Mara Superior, whose art features themes of political social commentary and an homage to history through her sculptures and collection platters.

DownStreet Art will continue through Sept. 28, which will be the final DownStreet Art Thursday for the 2017 season. For a full history of DSA art installations and performances, as well as more information about upcoming events, visit http://downstreetart.org.

MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BCRC) provides professional development training, resources and support to the artists, art managers and creative workers of Berkshire County. Through its multiple programs and presentations, BCRC brings the best of performance and art to the Berkshires and showcases the best of the Berkshires to the world.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Art (MCLA) is the Commonwealth’s public liberal arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts state university system. MCLA promotes excellence in learning and teaching, innovative scholarship, intellectual creativity, public service, applied knowledge, and active and responsible citizenship. MCLA graduates are prepares to be practical problem solvers and engaged, resilient global citizens. For more information, visit www.mcla.edu.

For downloadable photos go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcrc/albums/72157687782698975